DANGERS OF THE SURF.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14563, 14 January 1913, Page 5

DANGERS OF THE SURF.

THE LESSON AT SUMNER

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST

ACCIDENT

SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS MOOTED.

'At Sumner List night a meeting of delegates from local bodies and societies interested was held to discuss tho best means of preventing accidents to people when bathing, also to have uniformity of- by-laws regarding costumes, restriction of areas and other matters dealing with surf bathing. Tho following bodies were represented: — Lyttelton Harbour Board: Mr Cyras J. It. Williams. Sumuer Borough Council: Tho Mayor (Mr H. J. Marriner), and Councillors G. Brewer and G. M. C. Smitbson. Christchurch Tramway Board and New Brighton Borough Council: The Mayor (Mr J. A. Flesher). Sumner Branch, Royal Life-saving Society: Messrs F. L. Anderson, 11. A. Kerr, and P. A. A. Schwartz. Canterbury Head Centre, Royal Life-saving Society: Messrs F. T. Ager, G. E. Billson and K. Bassett. Tho Mayor of Sumner (Mr H. J. Marriner) explained that the reason for calling tho meeting was that tho surf bathing was becoming such ;i popular pastimo that regulations were now required for bathing, and for saving., tho lives of bathers. Hβ mentioned tho matters to be dealt with. He went on to say that the conference was purely for tho purpose of discussing these matters, and he pointed out that representatives of local bodies were not bound down by anything which might bo decided upon. RESTRICTING BATHING AREA. The limitation of the bathing area was tho first'matter dealt with. The Chairman stated that the Australian swimmers who wero recently in Christchurch had stated that on tho beaches in Australia tho bathing area was limited, so that the lifesaving brigade could have a defined area to patrol and be ready to render assistance. He pointed out that in the case of one of tho men who wore recently drowned at Sumner, tho lifesaving brigade on the beach was a long way from the bather, and they had to run a considerable distance along tho beach before reaching tho spot where tho bather had entered tbo water.

After a sbort discussion, Mr Billson moved that a bathing area should bo defined, and it should be marked for tho benefit of bathers, who would be warned* that if they wont beyond tho restricted area they did so at their own peril. Mr Billson eaid that it would* also bo a good idea to prohibit bathing in the surf when the tide was on the ebb, which, he said, was a dangerous time. He went on to say that it was the moderate swimmer, and not the good swimmer, who got into trouble.

Mr Flcsber, referring to New Brighton, said that at New Brighton the re;idential area covered such a w d ; > expanse of the foreshore that he did not set- how it would be possible to restrict t\.e area tiere. Ali that could bo done, he said, would be to erect notices warnine bathers to be cautious. Continuing, .sir Flesher .said that therp was no trouble with the bathers who lived at New Brighton, who knew tho bench, but it was visitors to the beach that had to be looked after.

Another speaker stated that on one of tho Dunedin beaches two red flaps marked the bathing area, and he said that when he was at this beach on New Year's Bay, there were many people in the water, but none of tho bathers were outride the red flags. It was pointed out that Sumner was not dangerous for good swimmers, but

ihcro were some spots which were dnngcroiis to poor swimmers. Hγ Billson's motion was enrriod.

•PATROLLING THE BEACH

Mr K. Bassett then stated, on l>ehalf of the Life-saving Society, that an efficient team of men would patrol tho beach on nil holidays and whenever possible at other times. It was suggested that men in the patrol brigade should bo appointed special constables, so that they could liavo authority to control bathers. Tho meeting expressed tho opinion' that certain members of tho life-savinj; society should bo appointed special constables. AN ALARM BELL. 1 The question of providing an alarm bell was then brought up. Mr 11. A. Korr stated that tho alarm horn now in use on tho Cave Rock was useless, as if tliero was any wind blowing it could not bo heard. Consequently it frequently happened that members of tho life-saving brigado did not hear flf a person in trouble until the first n< ws had spread along the beach. Further discussion aroused tho question as to whether a siren would not be better tlian a bell. It was suggested that a bell should bo placed in such i< place that anyone on tho beach coul.l sound tho alarm. Eventually it was decided that it was desirable to provide semo kinJ of alarm, tho details to bo left in abeyance. I COSTUMES OF BATHERS. ' Suggestions wero made for compelling bathers to wear proper costumes. Mr Flesher stated that at New Brighton bathers wero compelled to wear proper costumes during the whole time they wero on the beach. It was decided to recommend the Sumner Borough Council to draw up a by-law providing that bathers must wear tho neck to kneo costume or tho Canadian costume, and in tlio cases of males, trunks must bo worn over tho costume. THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. In tho course of further discussion Mr Marriner said tho whole question of providing these matters depended on finance. Ho &aid that tho Borough of Sumner had provided facilities for ibathing and pleasure on tho sands for thousands of people, but they did not rcceivo a penny in revenue. "And now," ho added, "wo cannot be asked to provide the funds for additional imrprovoinents." "Tho tripper is a, source of expense and not of revenue/ observed Mr Flesher. Copies of the various recommendations will be forwarded to tho bodies represented at tho meeting for their coni sideration.